Upper Copper/Upper Susitna River

basin

Sport fishing Alaskarivers and lakes

in the

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Written by Tom Taube, Glennallen Area

Management Biologist

Layout, design and maps by Alma Seward,

Region I Sport Fish Publications Coordinator

Area basemap cartography by Carol Hepler,

Sport Fish Division Cartographer

Cover photo: Gulkana River, Alaska

© 2005 by ADF&G Division of Sport Fish

produced by

the Alaska Department ofFish and Game

1300 College RoadFairbanks, AK 99701

(907) 459-7228

(907) 456-2259 (Fax)

ADF&G WEBSITE ➤ www.sf.adfg.state.ak.us/

statewide/sf_home.cfm

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Roadside fishing

information ......................... 1

Specific sites ......................... 3

Glenn Highway 3

Lake Louise Road 3

Richardson Highway 6

Edgerton Highway 6

McCarthy Road 7

Slana-Tok Cutoff

Highway 7

Nabesna Road 7

Denali Highway 7

Area map of

Upper Copper/Upper

Susitna River basin ........ 4-5

ADF&G Trophy Fish

���Program.............................. 9

Rules 9

State recordholders 10

Affidavit form (inside back cover)

Inside . . .

Fairbanks Regional Office1300 College RoadFairbanks, AK 99701-1599(907) 459-7228

Glennallen Area OfficeP.O. Box 47Glennallen, AK 99588(907) 822-3309

State HeadquartersDivision of Sport Fish1255 W. 8th St.P.O. Box 3-2000Juneau, AK 99801(907) 465-4180

Alaska Department of Fish and Game Sport Fish Division Offices:

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game administers all programs and activities free from discrimination on

the basis of sex, color, race, religion, national origin, age, marital status, pregnancy, parenthood, or disability.

For information on alternative formats available for this and other department publications, contact the

department ADA Coordinator at (voice) 907-465-4120, or (telecommunication device for the deaf) 1-800-478-

3648. Any person who believes s/he has been discriminated against should write to ADF&G, PO Box 25526,

Juneau, AK 99802, or O.E.O., U.S. Department of the Interior, Washington, DC 20240.

ADF&G Public Communications Section: (907) 465-4112

Recorded fishing informationfor Interior Alaska and theUpper Copper/Upper Susitnaarea:

(907) 459-7385 (Fairbanks) or(907) 267-2218 (Anchorage)

Recorded information for theCopper River personal use(dip net) fishery:

(907) 822-5224 (Glennallen)(907) 459-7382 (Fairbanks)

(907) 267-2511 (Anchorage)

Questions about the ADF&G Trophy Fish Program should be directed tothe Headquarters office.Other ADF&G publications are available through the Public CommunicationsSection.

1

Roadside fishing

opportunities in the

he varied fishing resources ofthe Upper Copper/Upper SusitnaRiver Basin (UCUS) offer some-thing for nearly every angler. TheUCUS is noted for excellent Arcticgrayling, chinook and sockeyesalmon fishing. UCUS watershave produced the state recordlake trout and burbot. The Basinholds great opportunity for anglerswho seek good fishing away fromthe more congested fishing spotsin the state.

Two major salmon sport fisheriestake place in the Gulkana andKlutina rivers. Chinook salmonfirst arrive in the Gulkana in earlyJune—that run peaks in the lowerriver downstream of the pipelinecrossing around the 4th of July.Access is available by roads andtrails off the Richardson Highway,which parallels much of the river.The Gulkana drainage supportsthe single largest recreationalfishery in the Glennallen area.

The lower Klutina River chinooksalmon fishery starts in mid to lateJune and peaks the second or thirdweek of July. Please refer to thecurrent sport fishing regulations forchinook salmon fishery closures inthe UCUS. There is easy access tothe Klutina where it crosses theRichardson Hwy. at Milepost 100.

There are concurrent runs of sock-eye salmon in both of these rivers,as well as resident populations ofgrayling and Dolly Varden.

Dip net and fishwheel subsistence/personal use fisheries (for Alaskaresidents only) take place near thecommunity of Chitina. Dip net andfishwheel seasons run from aroundJune 1 to September 30.

Many lakes and streams in the areacontain stocked rainbow trout,Arctic grayling, or coho salmon aswell as resident species.

The following pages list fishingsites along the highway system,

T

Upper Copper/UpperSusitna River Basin

2

starting from the Glenn Hwy. and

traveling east to the Richardson

Hwy., Edgerton Hwy., and Slana-

Tok Cutoff, then north to the Denali

Hwy. Like most major routes in

Alaska, highways in the area are

posted with numbered mileposts.

Locations in this guide refer to

highway markings, not odometer

readings, and are listed starting

from the lowest milepost to the

highest on each highway.

Some land within the basin is

owned by native corporations and

other private landowners. ADF&G

requests users to respect private

property and to leave shorelines and

trails cleaner than you found them.

Special regulations apply to specific

rivers and lakes, and to fish species

in the UCUS area, as well as

special permit requirements for the

Copper River personal use fishery

at Chitina. ADF&G issues annual

regulation summary booklets which

contain this information. Do not

forget to pick up a current regula-

tion booklet from your local sporting

goods store when you buy your

license.

ADF&G offices also give away

current regulation booklets, along

with up-to-the-minute fishing

reports and recent emergency

orders which affect bag limits, gear

restrictions, and fishery closures.

Call us, stop by our nearest

ADF&G office, or visit our website

(see addresses inside the front

cover) before you go fishing!

ANGLER ETHICS

� Don’t pollute. Haul trash out of the field, and dispose of it properly. Remember,that discarded fishing line can be lethal to birds and wildlife.

� Obey fishing regulations.

� Respect private property. Native allotments and other private land holdingsare common along Alaska’s waterways. Seek permission before using private land.

� Minimize stream bank erosion.

� Think about your needs: take only the fish you require. Preserve your fishappropriately.

� If you plan to release fish, handle them gently and do not remove them fromthe water. If you plan to kill fish, do so quickly and humanely. �

� � � �

3

WATER SPECIES MILE LOCATION/ACCESS

Leila Lake GR, BB, WF 121 Gravel pit parking, short hike to outlet

Tahneta Lake GR 123 Good spring fishery

Little Nelchina R. GR 137.5 DNR campground

Cache Creek GR 142.2 Pull-off present—good spring and fall fishing

Ryan Lake GR, RT 149 Pull-off 200 yards from highway

Mendeltna Creek GR 153 Pull-off, accommodations available

Gergie Lake GR, RT 155 Pull-off

Arizona Lake GR 155 Pull-off shared with Gergie Lake

Buffalo Lake RT 156 Pull-off

DJ Lake RT 157.5 South side of highway, 1/4-mile trail

Little Junction Lake GR 159.9 South side of highway, 1/4-mile trail

Lake Louise Road ........................... 160 ........... see listing belowTex Smith Lake RT 162 North side of highway, parking area

Lost Cabin Lake GR, BB 166 Across from Atlasta House, 3/4-mile trail

Tolsona Lake GR, BB 170 Turn N at sign, parking area, unimproved boat launch,

accommodations available

Tolsona Creek GR 173 Adjacent to highway—private campground present

Moose Creek GR 186 Adjacent to highway

Lake Louise RoadJunction Lake GR 0.5 East side of road

Crater Lake RT 1.5 West side of road, 200 yards

Little Crater Lake RT 1.5 Just beyond Crater Lake

Old Road Lake RT 5.2 Follow old road east 1/4 mile, lake west of road

Round Lake RT 5.2 Follow old road east 1/4 mile, lake east of road

Tiny Lake GR 6.5 Take road west 11/2 miles, then 1/4 mile south by trail

40-Foot Lake GR 6.5 West on road 2 miles, then 1/4 mile south by trail

(lake on east of trail)

Peanut Lake RT 6.5 East of 40-Foot Lake (above)

Mendeltna Creek GR 6.5 West on road, 5 miles

Forgotten Lake GR 7 Pull-off, lake east of road

Elbow Lake GR 11.5 Lake east of road

Caribou Lake GR 11.5 Lake west of road, 1/4 mile north on old road

Conner Lake GR 16.2 West side, 300 yards

Lake Louise LT,GR,BB,WF 16.5 Public campground—accommodations available

Susitna Lake LT,GR,BB,WF Access by boat across Lake Louise

Glenn Highway

BB = burbot GR = grayling LT = lake trout

RT = rainbow trout WF = whitefish

cont’d . . .

Where the fish are . . .and how to get there

4

➛

DENALI HWY

GLENN HWY

RICHARDSON HWY

➛

➛

➝

Fielding Lake

5

➛

➛

EDGERTON HWY

McCARTHY RD

➛

➛

SLANA-TOKCUTOFF

➣

N

NABESNA RD

6

Richardson Highway WATER SPECIES MILE LOCATION/ACCESS

Port Valdez SS,PS,CS,DV,BF Boat rentals at dock

Robe R. Lake DV 2.5 Highway crosses river—pull-off present at Mile 3.1

Thompson Lake GR 23.1 Lake west and downhill from highway; visible from road

Blueberry Lake RT 24.1 Use site present—DNR campground

Worthington Lake RT 27 Parking area available, east side of highway

Tiekel River DV 43–50 River parallels highway; fish small in size

Little Tonsina River DV 64, 74 Parking area available

Tonsina River KS,RS,DV,GR 79 Limited access at bridge

Squirrel Cr. Pit GR,RT 80 Pull-offs present—DNR campground

Edgerton Highway ....................... 83 ............ see listing belowPippin Lake RT 83.3 Pull-off present, unimproved boat launch

Klutina River DV,GR,KS,RS 100 Private campgrounds available

Bear Creek GR 125.9 Pull-off present; spring and fall fishery

Gulkana River RT,GR,KS,RS 126.9 Fishing trails at Mile 129.3, 136.4, 141.4; use site at Mile 147.5

Slana-Tok Cutoff ........................ 128.7 ........ see listing on next pagePoplar Grove GR 136.4 Spring fishery

Sourdough Creek GR 147.5 Spring fishery—BLM campground

Haggard Creek GR 161 Spring fishery

June & Nita lakes WF,GR 166.5 1/4 mile west

Gillespie Creek GR 168 Spring fishery

Gillespie Lake GR 168.2 Pull-off present, 1/4-mile trail

Meiers Lake GR 171 Pull-offs present, best fishing at inlet

Dick Lake GR 173.2 East side of road

Paxson Lake LT,GR,BB,WF 175–182 BLM campground, numerous accommodations available

Denali Highway ............................ 185 ............ see listing on next pageFish Cr. Lake(s) GR 192 Pull-off present—trail parallels creek 2 miles to lake

Summit Lake LT,GR,BB 194 Parking areas and accommodations available

Fielding Lake LT,GR,BB 200.5 Turn south on side road 2 miles, DNR campground

Edgerton HighwayTonsina River KS,RS,DV,GR 19.4 Limited access at bridge

Liberty Falls Creek GR 25 (from Richardson Hwy)–DNR campground

3-Mile Lake RT,GR 30 (from Richardson Hwy)–lake adjacent to road

2-Mile Lake RT,GR 31 (from Richardson Hwy)–lake adjacent to road

Chitina (Town) Lake GR 33 Lake bordered by town, various pull-offs present

McCarthy Road ...............................33 ............ see listing on next page

BB = burbot KS = king salmon RT = rainbow trout

CS = chum salmon LT = lake trout SS = silver salmon

DV = Dolly Varden PS = pink salmon WF = whitefish

GR = grayling RS = red salmon BF = bottomfish

7

McCarthy Road WATER SPECIES MILE LOCATION/ACCESS

Copper River RS,KS 1.1 Public campground present

Strelna Lake RT,SS 10.6 Trail—lake 3/4 mile north

Van/Silver Lake RT 11.1 Trail—lake 1/4 mile south, private campground, walk-in access

Sculpin Lake RT 12.6 1/4 mile south, walk-in access

Strelna Creek DV 15.4

Lou’s Lake SS,GR 25.7 3/4 mile north

Long Lake RS,GR,BB,LT,SS,DV 45

Slana-Tok Cutoff HighwayTulsona Creek GR 15–18 Creek parallels highway, numerous pull-offs

Gravel Pit Lake GR 30 North side of highway

Sinona Creek GR,DV 34

Nabesna Road .............................. 160 ............. see listing belowAhtell Creek GR 61 Wayside/pull-off present

Carlson Lake GR,DV 68 21/2 miles west up Carlson Creek

Mable Creek GR 76

Mentasta Lake GR,WF 81.5 North on old Slana-Tok bypass

Nabesna RoadRufus Creek DV 9 Spring fishery

Long Lake GR,BB 25 Pull-off present

Little Twin Lake GR,LT,BB 29.5 1/3 mile south

Big Twin Lake GR,BB 30

Jack Lake GR,WF,LT,BB 31 1 mile south of road by old cat trail

Jack Creek GR 38 Pull-off present

Denali HighwayMud Lake GR .3 1 mile SW of hwy by rough road; good early fishing

Seven-Mile Lake LT 6.8 Gravel road 3/4 mile to lake; excellent summer fishing

Ten-Mile Lake LT,GR,BB 10 Small pull-off—short hike down to outlet; summer fishery

Teardrop Lake LT,GR,BB 10.4 Short hike down steep hill to south; good summer fishery

Octopus Lake LT,GR,WF 11 3/4 mile south of road

Fourteenmile Lake RT 13.8 11/4-mile trail north of road

Little Swede Lake LT 16.8 2 miles south of road—pull-off present

Big Swede Lake LT,GR,BB,WF 16.8 2 mi south of Little Swede; excellent fishing

16.8 Mile Lake LT,GR 16.8 Walk north 200 yards to lake

Rusty Lake LT,GR 16.8 Walk 1/2 mile NW of 16.8 Mile Lake

17-Mile Lake LT,GR 17 Small lake with fair to good summer fishing

Denali-Clearwater Cr. GR 18.1 Use site present; spring and summer fishery

Tangle Lakes LT,GR,BB 22.5 Road crosses Tangle River, use-site present—BLM camp-

ground; excellent summer fishery

. . .cont’d

8

A RIVERBOAT SAFETY CHECKLISTIf you are planning to travel these rivers by boat, make sure that:

• All aboard wear personal flotation devices.

• The motor is adequate and running well. In-

spect fuel lines, transom mounting, prop nut.

• There is a spare propeller and prop nut (or

impeller and impeller nut for outboard jets)

and other spare parts likely to need replace-

ment. Carry the tools to install the parts.

• The anchor system is safe for river use and

that the anchor line can be cut loose in an

emergency. Carry 30–100 ft of strong spare

rope.

• There are at least two oars on board, and a

bilge pump or bailing can.

• The boat is not overloaded, and that emer-

gency maneuvers such as sharp turns can

be done without taking on water.

• The boat hull has adequate flotation.

• You have survival gear, clothing, first aid, and

comfort supplies appropriate for the trip.

• All gear is stowed out of the way and there

is clear access from the stern to the bow.

• There’s more than enough gas for a round

trip.

• The boat operator knows the river, or is ex-

perienced with rivers like the one you are

about to travel on, and is not impaired by

alcohol.

When you are traveling:

• Stay on the right side of the channel where

possible.

• The boat coming downriver has the right-of-

way.

• Approach blind corners with great caution.

A big, fast boat may be coming the other

way. Don't come to a stop with your boat

blocking the channel.

• Turn around before you use half of your gas.

• Don't get fatigued. Take breaks. Enjoy your

trip!

Be safe, not sorry

Always start your trip with a boat equipped in compli-ance with Coast Guard safety regulations—which may beobtained from the 17th Coast Guard District, FederalBldg., P. O. Box 25527, Juneau, AK 99802-5517 or U.S.Coast Guard Marine Safety Office, 510 L. Street, Suite100, Anchorage, AK 99501-1946.

Denali Highway (cont’d)

WATER SPECIES MILE LOCATION/ACCESS

Rock Creek GR 25.3 Parking area present; fair summer fishery

Landmark Gap L. LT,GR 26 3 miles north of highway—follow cat trail; good trout fishing

Glacier Lake LT,GR 31 Parking area on north side of highway—follow cat trail

2 miles to lake; excellent summer fishing

36-Mile Lake LT,GR 36 1/2 mile north of road

46.9-Mile Lake GR 46.9 N side of road; lake and outlet excellent for large grayling

Crooked Creek GR 46.9–50 Creek parallels highway; excellent fishing

50-Mile Lake GR 50 North side of road; fair fishing

Denali-Clearwater Cr. GR 59 Use site present; summer fishing

BB = burbot LT = lake trout GR = grayling

9

Trophy fish certificates are issued by the department to

give special recognition to anglers who take fish that meet

minimum weight qualifications for each species.

Trophy fish entries must be:

◆ legally caught in waters open to the general public,

◆ hooked and played by only one person (assistance is

permissible to land or boat the fish),

◆ weighed on a currently certified scale in front of at least

one witness and a Trophy Fish Official and must meet

minimum weight qualifications (listed on next page),

◆ measured by straight-line measure—not following the

curve of the fish—from tip of snout to tip of tail.

Affidavit (form printed on inside back cover) must be:

◆ signed by the entrant in front of a Trophy Fish Official.

(Contact your local ADF&G office for the one nearest

you; Division of Sport Fish biologists may also serve

as Trophy Fish Officials.)

◆ accompanied by a clear photograph of the fish, with a

size-reference object in the picture.

Trophy Fish program

The ADF&G

ADF&G issues honorary

trophy fish certificates and a

patch to entrants who catch

and release fish of minimum

length qualifications (listed

on p. 10) for each species—

Arctic char/Dolly Varden,

Arctic grayling, brook trout,

cutthroat trout, lake trout,

northern pike, rainbow

trout, or sheefish.

To limit handling of the fish,

estimate its length instead of

actually measuring it. Send

a clear photograph showing

a closeup side view of the

fish (preferably in the water)

with each entry. Any sign of

improper handling or injury

in the photo will disqualify

the entry. At least one

witness is mandatory.

Affidavits must be submitted by January 31 of the year follow-

ing the catch to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Division

of Sport Fish, P.O. Box 25526, Juneau, AK 99802. Affidavit

forms are available at all ADF&G offices. A separate affidavit

form must be completed for each entry. INCOMPLETE FORMS

MAY DISQUALIFY ENTRANTS. ADF&G reserves the right

to check fish identification or to refuse any questionable affida-

vits. Decisions of the department are final. Photographs become

the property of ADF&G for its use on the award certificate and

in public information releases. �

�����������������

CATCH-and-RELEASEHONORARY CERTIFICATES

�����������������

10

ALASKA STATE TROPHY FISH RECORDHOLDERS

Species Min. wt. Lbs/oz Year Location Angler

Arctic char/

Dolly Varden10 lb 27/6 2002 Wulik River Mike Curtiss

Brook trout 3 lb (This species was added in 1995—there have been no entries to date.)

Burbot 8 lb 24/12 1976 Lake Louise George R. Howard

King salmon see below 97/4 1985 Kenai River Lester Anderson

Chum salmon 15 lb 32/0 1985 Caamano Point Fredrick Thynes

Coho salmon 20 lb 26/0 1976 Icy Strait Andrew Robbins

Cutthroat trout 3 lb 8/6 1977 Wilson Lake Robert Denison

Grayling 3 lb 4/13 1981 Ugashik Narrows Paul F. Kanitz

Halibut 250 lb 459/0 1996 Unalaska Bay Jack Tragis

Lake trout 20 lb 47/0 1970 Clarence Lake Daniel Thorsness

Lingcod 55 lb 81/6 2002 Monty Island Charles Curny

Northern pike 15 lb 38/8 1991 Innoko River Jack Wagner

Pink salmon 8 lb 12/9 1974 Moose River Steven A. Lee

Rainbow/

steelhead trout 15 lb 42/3 1970 Bell Island David White

Rockfish 18 lb 38/11 2001 Pr. William Sound Rosemary Roberts

Sheefish 30 lb 53/0 1986 Pah River Lawrence E. Hudnall

Sockeye salmon 12 lb 16/0 1974 Kenai River Chuck Leach

Whitefish 4 lb 9/0 1989 Tozitna River Al Mathews

☛ King salmon minimum weight for the Kenai River is 75 lb. For the rest of the state, it is 50 lb.

Minimum length requirements for Catch-and-release Certificates

Arctic char/Dolly Varden . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 inches

Arctic grayling . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 inches

brook trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 inches

cutthroat trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 inches

lake trout . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 inches

northern pike . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 inches

rainbow/steelhead . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 inches

sheefish . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 inches

11

Alaska Department of Fish and Game

TROPHY FISH AFFIDAVIT(Please type or print clearly)

I am applying for the following certificate: ❑ Honorary Catch-and-release Certificate

❑ Trophy Certificate

Species:____________ Certified weight ____ lbs. ____ oz. (does not apply to catch-and-release entries)

Length: _____ inches (to nearest 1/8 inch) Caught in (check one): ❑ Marine ❑ Fresh water

Date caught: ___________ Location caught: ____________ Sport Fish License No. ____________

Entrant’s name (please print) ____________________________ Age (if under 16 years of age) ____

Mailing address_____________________________________________________________________

City/State _________________________________________________ Zip code ___________

The undersigned, being a Trophy Fish Official, does hereby verify the identity of the described fish:

Official’s name (please print) ___________________________________________________________

Scales certification date ______________________________________________________________

Official’s address ___________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________________________

We, the undersigned, witnessed the weighing and measuring of the fish described above, and verify

the weight and measurements recorded:

Witness 1. (signature) ___________________ (address) ________________________________

Witness 2. (signature) ___________________ (address) ________________________________

I hereby swear that in taking this fish I complied with all the rules and regulations in the location the

fish was caught, and that the witnesses hereto actually witnessed the weighing and measuring of this

fish. I further declare that all the above information is true and correct.

Contestant’s signature ______________________ Official’s signature ______________________

Certified by me this (date) ______________

The Alaska Department of Fish and Game (ADF&G) may wish to include the photograph taken in

conjunction with the issuing of this Trophy Fish Affidavit as part of the Division of Sport Fish

website. Please initial below your preference regarding the use of these photographs.

_____ I agree to allow the ADF&G to include my photograph in an internet website.

_____ I do not wish the ADF&G to include my photograph in an internet website.

Mail this original affidavit and the photograph to: ADF&G Division of Sport Fish

P.O. Box 25526, Juneau, Alaska 99802-5526